Johnnie Johnston passed away at his home surrounded by his family on January 4, 2018. Johnnie was diagnosed with kidney cancer on November 20. Johnnie Cecil Johnston was born in Central City, NE September 1, 1924 to Cecil and Katie Knels Johnston. At the age of five in 1929, Johnnie and his family arrived in Lambert on the immigrant train and established a home on the Retah Table area. Years later the family moved Northwest of Richey. Johnnie was needed on the family farm so quit school when he was a freshman. Johnnie and Beverly (Gidley) Johnston were married on May 23, 1947, a day after Beverly graduated from High School. To this marriage six children enhanced their lives. Johnnie and Beverly have lived North of Richey since 1949. Johnnie served on the Grandview School Board in his early years where his four oldest children attended grade school. He wanted his children to get a good education, for 21 days during the winter of 1966 Johnnie took the four older kids on his John Deere tractor 9 miles to meet the school bus using the blade on the tractor to clear the road as he drove. After school he repeated the trip to collect his kids. The Richland County Weed Board was very dear to Johnnie. He served on the Board from 1959 to 2017. He was very active fighting the weeds. Johnnie received Weed Fighter of the year several times and was proud of the awards. He was the oldest member in Montana. Johnnie served on the Farmers Elevator Board in Richey for many years. Johnnie worked hard all of his life and expected the same from others. He also liked to have fun. Johnnie & Beverly enjoyed taking trips with friends and relatives. Trips were taken to Hawaii, Mexico, and a Caribbean Cruise. The kids remember having fun times at Saco Hot Springs swimming when growing up. Johnnie saw big farm changes in his life from farming with horses to the big modern machinery. He loved swathing hay and harvest time. He also enjoyed feeding and tending to his cows or as he referred to them, his girls. They followed him like puppies and he loved that. Johnnie never met a stranger, he considered everyone he met to be his friend. He loved visiting with everyone often stopping them on his beloved John Deere Gator as he traveled locally. His Gator was another love, at times the back was filled with fencing supplies, feed for the cows or the spray container to spray the dreaded weeds as he drove along the country with his spurge glasses. Pheasants in the yard were always fed well during the winter months by Johnnie. Pets were dear to Johnnie, he took in many dogs whose owners (his kids) couldn’t take care of them in town anymore. He could be seen with a dog in his pickup or Gator most of the time. His latest stray was a cat named Keven who was always getting in his way but Johnnie was always ready to pull his tail or scratch his ears in a loving way. Keven wanted to be with Johnnie in a chair or on his bed during the last couple weeks. Grandchildren and great grandchildren were very important to Grandpa Johnnie and Grandpa Great, he loved their phone calls and visits. He loved to tease them and they teased right back. Johnnie is survived by: his wife, Beverly; his children, Gary (Virginia), Larry (Connie), Connie Aasheim, Peggy (David) Vaira, Kevin (Shelly), Kyle (Tammy); 19 grandchildren, Erin Ballard, Rob, Cory, Shane, Lori Langley, Kari Wong, Angi Candee, Heidi Vanlaningham, J.D. Aasheim, Ryan Aasheim, Jolene Geary, Jodi McWilliams, Jeff Vaira, Janell Monroe, Kacee, Meghan, Lexi, Hailey and Ben; 36 great grandchildren and another due in March; brother, Ruben; sister, Ella Anderson; numerous nieces and nephews; numerous great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Katie Johnston, daughter-in-law, Janet Johnston, great grandson, Tyler Langley; son-in-law, Daniel Aasheim; brothers Lawrence, Eugene, Dave; sisters Marjorie Ziegler, Helen Hoffman, Mary Johnston and half-sister Ruth Cooper.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to everyone who visited or called while Dad was in Billings Clinic Hospital and at the farm. Thank you to all who brought food and meals to the house over the past few weeks. Most of all your prayers were so appreciated.

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Shelley and Pat Geiger (Glendive, Montana)Jan 6, 2018

Beverly, Kyle and Tammy and family, I am so dry to hear about your husband and Dad. I always had the highest amount of respect for him, he was always a gentleman and a class act. I know right now you are missing him terribly. What is comforting to know is that you will see and be with him again and then it will be forever. Just know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Audree(Fatzinger) and Lowell DietzJan 7, 2018

As far as we know, Johnnie always wore a smile. He was a dear friend to our Fatzinger families. He is smiling anew.

Jean Vaira(Billings, Mt)Jan 7, 2018

God rest your soul Johnny, you were a very kind, hard working ,Good man. May our Lord Jesus comfort your wife Beverly and your kids . You will be missed by all whoever got the pleasure of meeting you.

Violet Tharp & Eddy VairaJan 7, 2018

Your family is in our hearts and prayers. We will not be able to attend the funeral, but please know we will be thinking of you.

Craig & Doreen (Vaira) Herbert(Glasgow, MT)Jan 7, 2018

Beverly and families, We are so sorry of your loss. Johnnie always had a smile on his face and loved to visit with anyone. Keep your memories close to your heart, share his stories and know that you are all in our prayers for the difficult days ahead. We are unable to attend the funeral as we will be gone at that time but will be thinking of you all. Doreen and Craig

Vaughn & Marlene WhiteJan 7, 2018

Beverly and Family,Have been praying for you since we heard of Johnnie's illness. And now that his battle is over, we keep praying for you. Over the years we could pick up our conversation right where we left off. Best of memories. May God's great grace and comfort be yours!

Maureen Salsbury Irigoin(Great Falls, MT)Jan 7, 2018

My thoughts and prayers are with Johnnie's family. He will be missed by so many who had the privilege of knowing him.

Tammy Temple(Muncy, PA)Jan 8, 2018

We (Bud, Scott, Bear, Moose and I) are all so sorry for your loss. Johnnie is the sweetest man I've ever met. He will be dearly missed. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to visit with him and bake him his pie this year again. Hunting won't be the same without his smiling visits.

Marilyn and Bryce Witt(Sidney, MT)Jan 8, 2018

I'm so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Janel Alderman(BILLINGS, Montana)Jan 9, 2018

I am sorry for your loss. Johnnie never seemed to ever be in a bad mood. Prayers and hugs sent to you all, especially you Beverly.

Jerry and Kelly Doornek(Glasgow , MT)Jan 9, 2018

Our most sincere condolences to Beverly and Family. Johnnie will be greatly missed by friends and community. I will always have good memories of Johnnie from as far back as i can remember up to visiting this past summer. Our prayers are with you all.

Chuck,Lana,and Melissa Groepper(Remsen, Iowa)Jan 10, 2018

So sorry to hear that Johnnie had passed away,our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. We first met Johnnie when he brought his calves to Iowa to the sale barn to sell, what a great friendship became from that small town sale barn and many miles between for our family and his He will be missed by many,but his wisdom will remain with all of you. Prayers to you all.. .

Jim & Karen Moore (Buller)(Seattle, WA)Jan 11, 2018

My heart was sad when I learned of Johnnies passing and found myself reflecting on his consistent presence at church on Sunday and his ever-present smile with a joke or story to tell. I’m grateful for his life. He always went out of his way to find us and say hi when we were home for a visit. I feel so blessed to have grown up with a heritage of these faithful followers of Jesus and dear friends of our family. My prayers are with you, Beverly, and your family. He will be missed! May you find peace and comfort in knowing He is healed and in glory! This life is a vapor and we look forward to our eternal home in heaven!

Arden and Carla Will(Hardin, Mt)Jan 11, 2018

Our dearest sympathies to you Beverly, the family, and his friends. You both were always together and such a devoted couple. May the amazing memories of the heart sustain you at this time. -- Arden and Carla Will

Beverly and Family,We were so sorry to hear of Johnnie passing, but I was so very glad to hear he got to come home before he passed. I don't know if I ever saw Johnnie without a smile. Johnnie had an awesome way of talking to people and I don't believe he met many strangers. I am so glad we got out to see you guys this summer, we had a wonderful time visiting and seeing the countryside. I know we will miss Johnnie a great deal, we were all super fond of him. May God Bless all of you and bring some comfort in this time.

SheilaJan 14, 2018

Dear Johnston family, I am so sorry for your loss. May your loving memories sustain you until you see him again. Isn't it wonderful to have the promise of God to do away with death, pain and tears and even to bring our loved ones back to life! (Revelation 21:3-4 and John 5:28-29). Please visit JW.org to read the online Bible and articles that will bring you so much comfort during this difficult time.

Cheryl Doornek Borne(Dewey, AZ)Jan 16, 2018

To Beverly and family,My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Johnnie was such a character, always laughing and smiling! Now he's up in heaven laughing with all the neighbors. I'll always remember him as such a wonderful neighbor when i was growing up!

Gary and Susan chapman(Moville, Ia)Jan 18, 2018

Many great memories of Johnnie and his trips with his calves to bleil and Chapman sale barn in Iowa...always had big smile when either met or talked about my parents bud and Catherine...our prayers are with you...did take some time for details to get here...but are thoughts are still with you....Gary and Susan chapman

Deb & Greg Cavanaugh (Sidney , Montana )Jan 24, 2018

Was very sad to hear about Johnnie. We loved visiting with he & Beverly when they came into the office. He was such a sweet & kind man. We will miss him very much